Feline charities launch preventative healthcare campaign
The CatCareforLife programme aims to help keep cats healthy and encourage trips to the vet.
A programme to help generate partnerships between vets and owners on preventative healthcare has been launched by the International Society of Feline Medicine and International Cat Care.
The CatCareforLife programme was launched at BSAVA Congress (5-8 April) to help keep cats healthy and encourage trips to the vet. Provided in partnership with IDEXX and Royal Canin, the programme will be promoted to both veterinary practices and owners.
‘Clearly with a substantially lower number of veterinary visits than dogs, cats represent a considerable opportunity to veterinary practice, as well as presenting a significant unmet health need,’ said an International Cat Care spokesperson. 'Experience with the Cat-Friendly Clinic programme has demonstrated that increased knowledge and understanding of cats pays real dividends in the clinic’.
The CatCareforLife programme encourages owners to understand cat life stages and offers best practice guides for recommended health checks. Set out in a clear and simple way, the information is based on independent studies and data developed by feline experts.
To promote the campaign, International Cat Care and ISFM have produced a practical guide to the CatCareforLife programme, which includes posters, charts and clinical sheets. This guide, together with owner resources and checklists for veterinary protocols, can be found at catcareforlife.org
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
